Position indicator for enclosed disconnect switch



H. H. RUDD Jan. 3, 1956 POSITION INDICATOR FOR ENCLOSED DISCONNECT SWITCH F'iled Aug. 31, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 3, 1956 H. H. RUDD 2,729,726

POSITION INDICATOR FOR ENCLOSED DISCONNECT SWITCH Filed Aug. 3'1, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

- POSITION INDICATOR FOR ENCLOSED DISCONNECT SWITCH Application August 31, 1953, Serial No. 377,531 5 Claims. c1. 200 167) My invention relates to indicating means for remotely controlled and enclosed disconnect means and is more particularly directed to a light reflection means to appraise operating personnel of switch blade position.

Remotely and automatically controlled disconnect switches are frequently mounted at levels many feet above the floor. In many cases where remote or automatic control means are provided, it is desirable to know whether the cooperating contacts of the switch are in the closed or open position. However, if the disconnect switch is mounted from the ceiling of a structure many feet above the eye level, it is impossible to determine the position of the switch blade. That is, even though the switch blade may not be in its exact final or closed position, it might appear so to the operator who is looking up and observing same through a glasswindow.

In the prior art arrangement, it is necessary for the operator to move around to find the most favorable observing position to determine whether the-switch is in the closed or open position. I

With the novel light reflection means of my invention, indication to the operator will be visible from almost any position from which the observing glass can be seen.

Although other indicating means have been known in the prior art, none have proved to be satisfactory since they are not direct indicating means. Thus, in one arrangement heretofore known, an indicator was placed on the operating shaft or link of the switch blade. How ever, in the event of mechanical failure between the link or control shaft and the switch blade, the indication was erroneous.

In my novel invention, I overcome all of the disadvantages of the prior art.

Basically my novel device comprises a light source, a mirror and a viewing screen or window. Two mirrors are positioned on the switch blade and a light source is se-.

curely mounted on the switch enclosure. When the switch blade is in the closed position, the light source will be directed toward a first mirror and there reflected to a first spot on the viewing screen or window which may have indicia indicating Closed.

When the switch blade is in the second or open position, the fixed light source will be directed toward the second mirror and the reflected beam will impinge upon a second spot of a screen or window which may have appropriate indicia indicating Open position.

the control or operatng link and the switchblade, a positive means is provided to indicate the position of same.

nited States Patent Thus, irrespective of any mechanical failure between' 1 2,729,726 Patented Jan. 3,.1956

In this arrangement, the enclosure may be provided with one opening at the bottom thereof which will be the Open window and an opening at the side thereof which will be the Closed window.

Thismodified arrangement differs from that above described in that a single mirror is used for indicating both open and closed position rather than separate mirrors forthese two positions.

Since the single mirror is mounted on the switch blade of the disconnect'switch, it will have the advantages of the double mirror arrangement. That is, irrespective of any mechanical failure of one operating mechanism of the switch, the reflected light from the single mirror will be a positive indication of the position of the cooperating contacts of the disconnect switch.

-Accordingly, a primary object of my invention isthe provision of an indicator for enclosed disconnecting switches which is independent of the control mechanism or links of the switch. I

-Another object of my invention is to use light reflection means mounted on a switch blade whereby an operator can-readily determine the position of a concealed or enclosed switch by viewing a screen or window.

Still another object of my invention is to provide indicating means comprising a light source, a mirror and win dow wherein reflected light on a window will indicate to the operator the position of the switch blade.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a disconnect switch with a switch blade having a first and from but places the second mirror in beam from the light source.

Still another object of my invention is to provide indicating means fordisconnect switch wherein a single mirror or: reflecting surface may be mounted on the blade of the switch to provide positive indication for either the open or closed position of the switch.

Another object of my invention is to provide indicating means for a disconnect switch in which the housing has an Op'en window and a Closed window which will respectively receive reflected light from a single light source and mirror depending on the position of the blade of the switch.

These and other objects of my invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the drawingsiu which Figure l is a side view of my novel position indicator for enclosed disconnect switches. This arrangement illustrates the disconnect switch blade adapted with two reflecting surfaces or mirrors which are respectively used to indicate the openand closed position of the switch.

Figure la is an enlarged view of the reflecting means containing two mirrors which is attached to the switch blade as indicated in Figure 1.

Figure 2 is a side sectionalized view of a modified form cation of the position of the switch blade by the use ofa single mirror to reflect light, at different angles, when Also, since the switch blade need not be viewed directly,

the operator is readily appraised of the position of the switch blade as long as he is standing in any positionin which the screen or window can be viewed. I

In a modified arrangement of my novel position indicater for enclosed disconnect switches, I provide an arrangement in which only a single mirror is required to indicate both the open and closed position of the disconnect switch.

the switch is in either the open or closed position.

Figure 2a is an enlarged view of a stainless steel mirror used in connection with the embodiment of Figure '2. This figure illustrates the side, mirror to be attached to the switch blade.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 1a, the switch 10, which forms no part of my present invention, may be of the type disclosed in Patent 1,898,135 or copending application,

Ser. No. 318,638, filed'November 4, 1952. This switch may-be automatically'operated from "the member 57 end and top views of the which is pivoted at 56. However, the closing means forms no part of my present invention.

The terminals 11 and 12 of the switch are respectively connected to the bus bars 13 and 14 which enter the enclosed housing 15. The housing 15 .and the switch 10 in the view illustrated may be .secured to aceilingin any desirable manner.

The switch .blade 16 is rotatably mounted at .thehinge end 17 of the switch 19. A modified cup washer 18 is placed at the pivot point and is set. with a locknut 18. The washer 18 has the characteristics of pressure proportional to compression displacement. The locknut 18 is set to arrive at a pressure which will giveadequate contact and yet not gall under movement of the blade 16. When the disconnect switch .10is in a closed position, indicated by the dotted lines, the contact buttons 19, 20 and 21, respectively, engage with the resilient stationary jaw members 22, 23 and 24.

Reflection means indicated .by the numeral 25 is secured to the switch blade 16 in any desirable manner for example by screws or nuts 26.

The forward end of the clamping means contains a stainless steel mirror 27 whichis pivotally mounted at 28 on bracket 29 of member 25. A screw 30 is passed through the opposite end of the member 31 containing the stainless steel mirror 27 and is in threaded engagement with extension 32 .of member 25. A spring means 33 is lodged between the surface 31, 32 and is concentric with the screw 30 thereby biasing the support 31 and the stainless steel mirror 27 in clockwise direction.

It will be noted that .the angle of the'stainless steel mirror 27 with respect to the switch blade 16.may be adjusted by means of the screw 39. That-is, the mirror 27 may need to be adjustable to reflect the beam to the proper location to give correct position indication due to inequalities in the manufacture of the switch housing, .bladeor control parts.

The stainless steel mirror 37 is mounted to the member 25in substantially the same manner as above described in connection with mirror 27 and the angle thereof with respect to the blade 16 may be adjusted by means of the screw 34. I

An auxiliary enclosure 38 may be provided for the main switch enclosure 15 to support the fixed light source 39 and the viewing screen or window 40. The viewing screen or window 49 may be secured to the housing 38- in any desirable manner such as by brackets 41 and screws 42.

The light source 39 positioned within the housing 4.3 may be of any well-known adjustable type which can be securely positioned once the desired position is obtained. Thus, when the switch blade 16 is in the engaged position indicated by the solid lines of the figure, the directlight beam 44 from the light source 39 will impinge on the stainless steel mirror 37. The reflected beam 44' from the mirror 37 will then impinge upon the viewing screen or window 40 at the area indicated by the numeral 45.

It will be noted that the screen 40 may be marked at the area indicated at 45 with indicia Closed and the area indicated at 47 with indicia Open. When the switch is in the Closed position, only the stainless steel mirror 37 will be in line with the light beam 44 and the stainless steel mirror 27 will be removed from directional line of the light beam 34. However, when the switch blade 16 is moved from the Closed position to the Open position, indicated by the dotted lines in the figure, the mirror 37 will be removed from-thedirection of the light beam 44 and the mirror 27 will now be moved into the path of this light beam.

As heretofore noted, the angle of the mirrors 27 and 37 with respect to the switch blade 16 can be adjusted by meansof screws 3 0v and34, respectively. Hence, when the switch blade 16 is moved tothe open position, the mirror 27 can beadjusted so that the reflectedlight beam 46 will impinge on the viewing screen in the area indicated by the numeral 47.

Thus, it will be seen that I have provided a novel indicating means for an enclosed disconnect switch whereby the operator can readily determine the position of the switch blade 16 by merely viewing the screen 40.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 2a, the disconnect switch is thesameas that shown and described in c011nection with Figures 1 and la and components common to Figures 1 and 2 have identical notation.

In the modified arrangement of Figures 2 and 2a, the dual mirror attachment means 25 of Figure 1 is replaced by the single-mirror 50.

As will hereinafter be more fully described, the polished reflecting surface 51 of mirror 50 serves to reflect the light from source 39 when the switch blade 16 is in either the closed position (solid line) or in the open position (dotted line).

The upper housing 15 is provided with a Closed window 54 at the leftside thereof and the lower attached housing 38 is. provided with an Open window 55 at the .lower portion thereof. Thus, it will be seen that the light beam .44 emanating from the light source 39 will be reflected as beam 44' from the polished surface 51 of the mirror 50 when the switch blade 16 is in a closed position as indicated by the dotted lines of Figure 2.

When this condition prevails, an operator standing on the ground on viewing the enclosure from the left will be able to see the reflective light beam 44 through the transparent Closed window 54.

When the switch blade 16 of the disconnect switch 10 is in the open position, .as indicated by the dotted lines of Figure 2, the light beam 44 from the light source 39 will be reflected as light beam 46 through the open window 55. At this time, theoperator standing below the switch will see the reflected light beam 46 in the open window 55 thereby immediately appraising him that the switch is in the open position.

In the modified arrangement of Figure 2, the mirror 50 may be adjustably secured to the blade 16 by means of elongated slats 59 and bolts 58. The member 50 is preferably of stainless steel and may be a U-shaped member as indicated in Figure 2a having its lower surface 51 polished .to thereby form a stainless steel reflecting surface. It will be apparent that the means 50 may also be an L-shaped member or bar stock.

The distance between the two legs of the U-shaped member 50 is suflicient to receive the width of the plate 16 so that the mirror 50 can be secured thereto by means of the bolts 58. The legs of the mirror 50 are provided with elongated slots 59 which receive the bolts 58. The slotted holes 59 in the mirror 50 provide for angular adjustment thereto so that the reflected light beam 46 will impinge on the Open window 55 when the blade 16 is in the Open.position so that the reflected beam 44 will impinge upon the Closed window-54 when the blade is inthe Closed position.

In the modified arrangement of Figure 2, the light source 39 located within reflector 60 is mounted on the inside of the lower housing 38 by means of the brackets 61 which are secured to the housing by means of the bolts 62. That is, instead of providing a separate independent housing 63 for the light source 39, as shown in Figure 1, this unit may be mounted by means of brackets on the inside of the housing.

In the foregoing, I have described my invention only in connection with preferred embodiments thereof. Many variations and modifications of the principles of my invention within the scope of the description herein are obvious. Accordingly, vI prefer to be bound not by the specific disclosure herein but only by the appending claims.

Iclaim:

l. A disconnect switch having a blade with closed and open position; indicating meanscomprising a light source, a screen and a first and second mirror; said firstand second mirror individually adjustably mounted on said switch blade; said first mirror positioned to reflect light from said light source to a first position on said screen when said switch blade is in said closed position; said second mirror positioned to reflect light to a second spot on said screen when said blade is in said open position.

2. A disconnect switch having a blade with a closed and open position; indicating means comprising a light source, reflecting surfaces and a viewing screen; said reflecting means comprising a first and second mirror individually adjustably mounted on said blade; said first mirror position in the path of a light beam from said light source when said blade is in said closed position; said first mirror adjustable to reflect said beam of light from said said light source to a first spot on said screen; said second mirror interposed in the path of a light beam from said light source when said switch blade is in said open position; said second mirror adjustable to reflect said light beam from said light source to a second spot on said screen.

3. A position indicator for enclosed disconnect switch comprising a reflector; a blade for said disconnect switch having an open and closed position; said disconnect switch enclosed within a housing having a first and second opening; said reflector adjustably secured to said blade; 2 light source Within said housing; said reflector reflecting light from said light source to said first opening in said housing when said blade is in said closed position; said reflector reflecting light to said second opening of said housing when said blade is in said open position.

4. A disconnect switch having a blade with a closed and open position; indicating means comprising a light source and a reflecting surface; said reflecting surface comprising a member having means for angular adjustable attachment to said blade; said reflecting surface reflecting a light beam from said light source to a first area when said blade is in said closed position; said reflecting surface reflecting said light beam from light source to a second area when said blade is in said open position; reflected light at said first area indicating a closed position of said blade; reflected light at said second area indicating an open position of said blade.

5. Indicating means for a disconnect switch having a blade with a closed and open position; said indicating means comprising a light source, a first and second viewing area and reflecting means; said switch blade in said closed position moving said reflecting means to a position to reflect light from said light source to said first viewing area; said switch blade in said open position moving said reflecting means to position to reflect light from said light source to said second viewing area; said reflected light beams at said first and second viewing area providing positive indication of the position of said blade of said disconnect switch.

References Cited in the file of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS 786,002 France May 27, 1935 

